The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday urged the United States to give up its " wild ambition" to bring down the DPRK's system, and to pave the way for the normalization of their relations and resolve the issues between them.

"If the US is interested in normalizing bilateral relations, it should recognize and respect the system in the DPRK and give up its intention to bring it down," said a commentary carried by the DPRK's leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday.

The commentary criticised the US side for having set preconditions for the normalization of bilateral relations.

The recent US top diplomats' remarks on the settlement of such issues as "human rights, terrorism, missiles, conventional weapons, drug and counterfeit notes," aim not only at forcing the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear weapons, but also at toppling the Pyongyang authorities, said the commentary.

"The normalization of relations can never be achieved if the US remains hostile to the DPRK and is keen to overthrow its system," it added.

"The US should respect the DPRK and give up its design to bring down its system. This is the solution to the problem," it stressed.

The top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il said earlier this month during talks with South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young that Pyongyang was willing to return to the talks in July if the US " recognizes and respects" his country.

Washington, while noting Kim's remarks as a positive development, remained skeptical, demanding Pyongyang to set a date when it will rejoin the negotiations.

The recent nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula came to light in October 2002. In order to end the nuclear issue peacefully, China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan have convened for three rounds of six-party nuclear talks in Beijing.

However, the fourth round of the multilateral talks failed to be convened as the DPRK refused to attend the talks, citing US hostile policy.

Source: Xinhua